Judge Dismisses East St. Louis Streaming Franchise Fees Suit

Illinois' Cable and Video Competition Law (CVCL) doesn't give East St. Louis a right of action to seek video service provider franchise fees from streaming services, U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Beatty of East St. Louis ruled Friday, dismissing a putative class action complaint brought by the city. In the docket 3:21-CV-561 order Friday granting the streaming service defendants' motions to dismiss (see 2203290039), Beatty said CVCL explicitly says the state attorney general can institute a lawsuit for CVCL violations, but it doesn't say that local government units can do likewise. That the AG's office hasn't pursued a suit "does not somehow mean the statutory enforcement framework is an inadequate remedy," said the order. There was no oral argument, with Beatty in the order calling it "not necessary." The city didn't comment.